• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Choose the best concluding sentence; Choose the best summary of a short text). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which sentence sounds most like a CONCLUDING sentence? (So, remember to pack these things for a great day out. / Pack a water bottle. / Pack some snacks. / Pack a hat.) → So, remember to pack these things for a great day out.Prompt: Concluding sentences often begin with words like In conclusion, All in all, Overall, So or That is why.
2. Wind turbines turn moving air into electricity. The wind spins the blades, which turn a generator inside the tower. Wind power does not burn fuel, so it does not release smoke, but turbines only work when the wind blows. Which is the best summary? (Turbines have blades. / Wind turbines are the best invention ever. / There is a generator in the tower. / Wind turbines use spinning blades to make clean electricity, but only when it is windy.) → Wind turbines use spinning blades to make clean electricity, but only when it is windy.Prompt: A summary is short and covers the WHOLE text, not just one part.
3. Our trip to the science museum was amazing. We touched a real meteorite. We built a robot arm. We even watched a show about lightning. Which sentence would make the best ending? (Robots need batteries. / It was the best school trip I have ever been on. / The bus was blue. / Meteorites are rocks.) → It was the best school trip I have ever been on.Prompt: A concluding sentence wraps up the whole paragraph.

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Choose the strongest conclusion. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Bees pollinate many of the crops we eat. Sadly, in many places their numbers are falling. The good news is that people can help by planting flowers and avoiding pesticides. Which is the strongest conclusion for this article?
• Step 1: Strong conclusions sum up, reflect or call the reader to act; weak ones just stop or add random facts.
• Step 2: So the answer is: Bees feed the world in secret; a few flowers on every balcony could help repay them.
• Answer: Bees feed the world in secret; a few flowers on every balcony could help repay them.
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. What kind of ending is this? Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth, and save water every day. (sums up the main points / calls the reader to act / reflects on a feeling or lesson) → calls the reader to actPrompt: Does it tell the reader to do something, sum up facts, or show what a character feels or learned?
2. At the science fair, Ana's robot kept dropping the blocks. She checked every part and finally found one loose wire. She fixed it, pressed start, and the robot sorted every block perfectly. Which is the strongest ending for this story? (Robots need electricity. / The science fair was in the hall. / Ana grinned at the little robot. One tiny wire had taught her the biggest lesson: never give up. / Then everyone went home.) → Ana grinned at the little robot. One tiny wire had taught her the biggest lesson: never give up.Prompt: A good ending links back to the main idea or the beginning.

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Our school should have a 'no car' day once a week. Fewer cars would mean less pollution at the gates. The roads would be safer, and walking or cycling would help pupils get fit. Which is the strongest conclusion for this letter? (Thank you for reading my letter about stuff. / Cars have four wheels. / Some people drive to school. / One day a week without cars would give us cleaner air, safer streets and healthier pupils, so please say yes.) → One day a week without cars would give us cleaner air, safer streets and healthier pupils, so please say yes.Prompt: A good ending links back to the main idea or the beginning.
2. What kind of ending is this? In short, bees pollinate our crops, make honey and keep wild plants growing. (sums up the main points / calls the reader to act / reflects on a feeling or lesson) → sums up the main pointsPrompt: Does it tell the reader to do something, sum up facts, or show what a character feels or learned?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-5.